Curtain and method of making the same



y 1952 E. l. FITZ GIBBON 2,596,395

CURTAIN AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed March 15, 1950 2 SHEETSSHEETl INVENTOR BY WQM ATTORNEYS May 13, 1952 Filed March 15, 1950 E. I. FITZGIBBON CURTAIN AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME} 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 INVENTORBY s n ATTOR NEYfi Paiented May 13, 1952 OFFICE CURTAIN AND METHOD OFMAKING THE SAME Ethel I. Fitz Gibbon, Pontiac, Mich.

Application March 15, 1950, Serial No. 149,684

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a curtain, and has as its primary object aprovision of an improved curtain comprised of a plurality of verticalstrips or slats of translucent material bound together by warp threadsand adapted to be suspended from a curtain rod in such manner thatthedevice may be readily folded upon itself while at the same timeproviding a substantially vertically stiff screen which will not bedisplaced by wind or the like.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a curtain ofthis character of enhanced ornamental appearance, which will be normallytranslucent in such manner as to permit the admission of light, but nottransparent.

A further object of the invention resides in an improved method ofmaking such a curtain.

.A more specific object of the invention is the provision of such acurtain wherein the strips are comprised of a translucent plastic andprovided with grooves or serrations in order to enhance their lightrefractive effect.

Still another object is the provision of such a curtain which will besturdy and durable of construction, highly ornamental in appearance, andrelatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as thedescription of the invention proceeds and shown in the accompanyingdrawings wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of thisinventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one form of the device embodyingfeatures of the instant invention shown as suspended from a curtain rodin extended or unfolded position,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 ofFigure 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows,

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along theline 3-3 of Figure 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows,

Figure 4 is a plan view of one of the strips or slats of the device forsuspending the same prior to formation of the loop therein, the positionassumed by the loop after treatment being indicated in dotted lines,

Figure 5 is a plan view of one of the strips adapted to be positionedbetween the supporting strips, and

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 ofFigure 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawmgs.

Referring now to the drawings in detail the curtain of the instantinvention, generally indicated at It is comprised of a plurality ofspaced elongated strip-like members I I, preferably comprised of anysuitable translucent plastic material. Each of the members II isprovided with a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves orchannels 12 extending substantially the full length thereof, and formedin one surface to provide a plurality of elongated facets, to refract ordiffuse light passing therethrough in such manner as to enhance theornamental appearance of the device. At its upper extremity each memberII terminates in a reverted or looped portion I3, the loop being formedin a manner to be fully described hereinafter.

Between each of the strips I I is positioned one or more shorter stripsI4 similar in configuration, and provided with elongated grooves orchannels It to provide facets similar to those previously discussed andfor a similar purpose. In the preferred embodiment of the invention themembers I4 terminate just below the loop portion I3 of members I I andare slightly wider than are memhers I I, although if desired it will bereadily understood that the strips may be of the same width or themembers II may be wider.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention also, two members I 4 arepositioned between each member I I and its next succeeding correspondingmember, although it will be further understood that if desired a greateror lesser number of strips I4 may be utilized.

Extending between and about all of members I I and I4 are a series ofwarp threads I6, adapted to be positioned thereabout in a manner to bemore fully described hereinafter, while extending between adjacentmembers I4 and/or II are preferably positioned a plurality oflongitudinally extending woof threads I! in order to permit relativeflexibility of the device. At either end of the device a woven web orstrip I'8 comprised of conventionally woven warp and woof threads may beprovided.

In the use and application of the device the.

looped portions I3 of members II are adapted to be positioned over aconventional cylindrical curtain rod I9 in alternate angularly staggeredrelation as best shown in Figure 2, which causes the parts to assume therelative position disclosed in Figure 3. It will be readily apparentthat due to the positioning and angular relationship of the members I Iin addition to the flexibility afforded the parts by virtue of the woofthreads I! that the device may be readily compressed to folded position,or extended to substantially full length position to cover or uncover awindow or door or the like.

A suitable liquid adhesive may be applied to the members l4 and II atany desired location thereon, to which the warp threads l6 adhere toprevent vertical disalignment of the strips when the curtain is insuspended position. i

If desired conventional woolen or yarn threads may be utilized for boththe warp and woof threads between the panels but in a preferredembodiment of the invention threads of spun nylon or other suitableplastic have been found preferable. Obviously both the threads andstrips may be of any desired color or plurality of colors eithercorresponding or contrasting.

In the 'method of manufacturing the device suitable strips of plasticare molded or otherwise desirably formed of dissimilar lengthscorresponding to strips I l and 14, in straight sections, and formedrespectively With the grooves or channels l2 and [5 to provide the abovementioned. light refracting facets. The end portions of the members Hare then heated to a requisite degree and reverted to form aperturedloops, as best disclosed in Figure4 of a dimension to surround thecurtain rod l9., The selected and formed strips are then positioned invertical relation on a suitable loom, in the position normally occupiedby the woof threads and the warp-threads l6 woven thereabout in suitablyspaced position. As contrasted to conventional weaving, it is desirablethat the warp threads be suitably spaced to exposed a substantialportion of the colored strips Hand l4 and in irregular relation, toenhance the ornamental appearance of the article. The woof threads I!may be pre-positioned prior to the weaving of the warp threads into theconstruction. correspondingly, the above mentioned adhesive may beapplied to the strips prior to the weaving operation or may besubsequentlyapplied as desired. i

While in the foregoing a loom has been described as used in conjunctionwith the manufacture of the article it isto be understood that ifdesired" hand weaving may be equally advantageously applied. The'weavingof the end strips lBinay be done in the conventional manner.

*From the foregoing it will now beseen that there is herein provided animprovedcurtain and 4 method of manufacturing the same whichaccomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, includingmany advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept and as manymodifications may be made in the embodiments hereinbefore shown anddescribed is to be understood that all matter herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. An article of manufacture comprised of a plurality of alignedsubstantially parallel strips of translucent material adapted to form avertically positioned woof of a curtain, certain of said strips being ofgreater length than others and having rod engaging loops formed at theupper ends thereof, a plurality of warp threads Woven about said stripto hold the same in aligned foldable relation and adhesive meanssecuring said strips. againstvertical movement relative to said warpthreads, said vertical stripsbeingprovided with a-plurality oflongitudinally extending parallelgrooves providing light refractiveelongated facets. v

2. The construction of claim 1 wherein every third strip is providedwith a rod engaging loop.

3. The construction of. claim 2 wherein aplurality-of woof threads arewoven between adjacent strips to provide flexibility for folding thearticle.v I

4. The. construction of claim 3 wherein both strips and threads arecomprised of a trans-' parent plastic materiaL,

1 rrnnnr. FITZ GIBBON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patentz- Great Britain June 25, 1942

